Now that we have changed our plans and are heading to Switzerland after our RS' Best of South Italy tour, I'm having a very difficult time choosing base cities. There are so many places I'd like to spend time in, and since we haven't bought our airline tickets...well, I keep wanting to add days to our trip, to nearly the end of September.
We'll begin with the Bernina Express route on regional trains, from Varenna, through Pontresina, where we'll spend several days, and from there...well, I'm "all over the map."
Engelberg: I really enjoy the mountains, and so was considering making Engelberg the first stop after Pontresina (I've decided to pass on Chur...and Heidi-land). I'm hoping for a sunny day in Engelberg so we can go to Mt. Titlis, but if the mountain is not visible, would spending the day in town be worthwhile? I know Mt. Titlis is an hour away from Luzern, but I was planning to skip Luzern on this trip.
Meirigen: Could visiting the (Sherlock Holmes) Falls be a day trip from somewhere? Or...if we were on a train which stopped in Meirigen, could we get off for a couple of hours, store our luggage somewhere and visit the Falls? Or...are the Falls worthwhile?
I guess that's all the questions I have for now. I've been studying my "Swiss Travel System Map" and wishing I could fit in Lugano also...or should I choose the BO over Lugano?
I'm in "analysis-paralysis" mode, so any help would be appreciated.
Posted by
Vernon, Canada
32212 posts
Carol,
I'm assuming you don't want to stay in Lauterbrunnen, or other location in the Berner Oberland? I don't know much about Engelberg but hopefully one of the others can provide some information. I really like Lucerne but if you're planning to skip that, I'm not sure what a good alternate location would be?
To answer your question about Meiringen, it is easily possible to do that as a day trip. I know that as I've done that, but I'd have to check my trip notes to see where I was staying. As I recall, the scenery along the rail trip was incredibly scenic. Meiringen is a fairly quiet small town so I'm not sure it would be a good location to stay.
If you're in Meiringen it's certainly worthwhile to visit Reichenbach Falls. As I recall, I had to take a bus as short distance from town to the Funicular that goes up to the falls. There's also a really nice Sherlock Holmes Museum in the town, located inside an old Church. It's quite small but I thought the displays were well done. I often characterize that trip as "visiting a location which commemorates events which never happened, involving people who never existed".
Posted by
Northamptonshire, England
32795 posts
I have just spoken to the station at Meiringen - there are lockers there so yes you can arrive, drop luggage, walk over to Reichenbach Falls, enjoy, return and continue your journey.
Posted by
Chicago
2680 posts
Since you really enjoy the mountains, I’d definitely head to the BO, staying in either Wengen (my first choice) or Murren.
Posted by
Paris
6905 posts
Engelberg is a reasonably cute mountain town and, besides Titlis, there are some good walks (Fürenalp is especially pretty).
However, as a base, I might lean towards Meiringen or Brienz, as there is more to do in the immediate area. Besides the falls, you could travel up Brienzer Rothorn, or if you are not carsick, take a Postbus up Grimselpass.
Posted by
Chicago
2680 posts
Balso, thanks for mentioning fuerenalp as I hadn’t heard of it. I’m adding it to my list for June as a possibility for one of my days in Lucerne.
The website has a lot of great info:
Posted by
Vancouver, BC
367 posts
I've been to Engelberg twice, and both times there was snow on the ground (May and December), so no hikes for us. We walked around, took some pictures, went for lunch, and left. It's lovely, but not a lot to do there in the town itself.
Posted by
OP
Southern Oregon
647 posts
I think I have arrived at an itinerary for Switzerland, after reading the responses here, as well as other postings/questions on Switzerland.
Thanks, Ken, Nigel, and balso, Carrie, and Nickelini for your thoughts.
Ken and Nigel I especially appreciate the info about Meiringen. I've begun to make hotel reservations, and, so airline reservation can now be booked.
Pontresina (3 nights): Train from Varenna, Italy to Pontresina
Wengen (4 nights): Yes, our favorite is Mürren, but from Wengen, it is easier to add day trips, such as Meiringen.
Engelberg (2 nights): If the weather is bad on Mt. Titlis, we could head to Lucerne for the day.
Zurich (3 nights): With possible day trip to Stein am Rhein.
Posted by
Chicago
2680 posts
Yay for wengen. 😊 if you need a hotel recommendation, check out Hotel Schönegg.
Posted by
Paris
6905 posts
Your route sounds good to me!
Just one comment: Wengen is only marginally easier than Mürren for day trips. Sure, you 'save' a connection, but it saves only 6 minutes of travelling time (the ride down to Lauterbrunnen is 13 minutes vs 19 from Mürren), and Wengen is more spread out so you are more likely to be far from the station.
Posted by
OP
Southern Oregon
647 posts
balso, thanks for your "yea vote on my (almost) final route."
But...now you have me 2nd guessing Mürren and our favorite, Hotel Bellevue. We're Mürren kind of people, comfortable with paper placemats vs. cloth tablecloths. And, where hiking boots are the common footwear.
Posted by
Chicago
2680 posts
Carol, you have to go with your gut. Sounds like Murren is the right place for you. By the way, I’m far from fancy. I’m in love with Wengen because of it’s proximity to my favorite place in the world—männlichen. 😊 And we had our best meals at the pasta and more restaurant.